Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for international travel
100 Years of Green in Israel
By Linda Tancs
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism website says that “Israel is one of two countries on earth that has more trees today than it did 100 years ago.” That may seem surprising to those familiar with the Jerusalem hills, populated with natural forests, terraced hillsides and ancient agricultural settlements. Yet four centuries of Ottoman rule resulted in millions of trees cut down because property taxes were calculated by the number of trees owned by landowners. Now Israel celebrates its greening by promoting a host of eco-tourism activities. Visiting a Kibbutz is a classic way to experience the earliest impetus towards green living. Another highlight of green Israel is The Ariel Sharon Ayalon Park, a metropolitan park boasting tropical gardens located just outside of Tel Aviv, formerly the 2,000-acre Hiriya garbage dump. You can explore the city’s tree-lined boulevards by bicycle (another eco-friendly act) or camel trek through the wilderness to a quiet evening in a goat-hair Bedouin tent. Whatever you decide, a carbon-reduced date with history awaits you.
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Airline Complaints in the EU
By Linda Tancs
As US travelers know from reading this blog, air travel complaints and statistics for US travel are readily available from the Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement bureau. Ever wonder about the EU equivalent? The European Union Transport Commission publishes a list of aviation authorities in one convenient document.
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India’s Billion-Dollar Home
By Linda Tancs
Amidst the wretched poverty of Mumbai it’s hard to imagine a billion-dollar home. Yet, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, that’s exactly what overlooks the slums of the most populous city in India. Named Antilia (after a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean), the 27-story behemoth was custom built for Indian magnate Mukesh Ambani. Reportedly sporting 37,000 square metres of space serviced by a staff of 600, the palatial digs will serve as the primary residence for the Ambani family of five.
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The Best Restaurant in the World
By Linda Tancs
The folks at Restaurant magazine voted Copenhagen’s Noma the best restaurant in the world. Now you might be envisioning wine-infused sauces or layers of thinly shaved beef or fish decorated with a variety of green leaves and truffle emulsions. Well, that’s hardly the case. In fact, Noma’s website will inform you that they’re not about olive oil, foie gras, sun-dried tomatoes and black olives. Instead, they bring the Nordic regions to your palate with fare like Icelandic skyr curd, halibut, and Greenland musk ox. Pure and simple.
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The Pleasures of Portugal
By Linda Tancs
Portugal is synonymous with port, but don’t neglect the Gothic and baroque masterpieces, delectable delights and impeccable river views throughout its ancient cities. Learn more at at Travelrific® Radio.
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Road Scholars
By Linda Tancs
Learning is lifelong. And worldwide. Combine the two and you get Road Scholars, an educational travel program for the 50-plus set. On a fixed income? No worries. You can hike the waterfalls of the Carolinas and explore lighthouses, shipwrecks and treasures for under $600. The journey may have a price, but the experience is priceless.
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Rhodo Fest in New Zealand
By Linda Tancs
New Zealand’s only castle is located in Dunedin – Larnach Castle. Its castle gardens are a big draw for nature lovers, but this time of year it’s the rhododendrons at the Rhododendron Dell at the Botanic Gardens and the annual Rhododendron Festival this month that draws them in. Characterized as a giant outdoor playground, a flower festival is tame compared with some of the more unusual events taking place in this city, like a nude rugby international match and a race of 30,000 hard coated candy balls down Baldwin Street, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s steepest street. Get your game on.
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Films Debut in London
By Linda Tancs
Through 28 October new films are showing in London at the British Film Institute’s 54th Film Festival. Galas and special screenings include Hollywood heavyweights like Natalie Portman in Black Swan and Annette Benning and Julianne Moore in The Kids Are Alright as well as the debut of West is West, the sequel to East is East, a story about a mixed race family returning to their roots in Pakistan. Would-be filmmakers would have been inspired by the chat with Black Swan’s Darren Aronofsky–if you had a ticket, that is. How about a meet and greet with music video director Mark Romanek, auteur of such works as Michael and Janet Jackson’s “Scream” and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ “Don’t Stop.” Influenced by visionary directors such as Scorsese, Cassavetes and Kubrick, Romanek’s transition to feature filmmaking was celebrated in the festival’s Opening Night Film, Never Let Me Go. Tickets are available at screening venues 30 minutes prior to first screening. Otherwise, stop by the ticket office at Southbank, call or go online.
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Celebrating Dussehra in India
By Linda Tancs
The Hindu festival of Dussehra in India celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Celebrated this year on 17 October, the holiday commemorates the Hindu god Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana. In the epic Ramayana Lord Rama sees his wife Sita abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. The ensuing battle is characterized by firecracker-stuffed effigies of the demon king. The popular and sacred event is celebrated throughout the subcontinent.
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London Food Fest
By Linda Tancs
London’s Restaurant Festival is in full force until 18 October. Malaysian and Mexican foods are the featured fare this year. Notable events include Street Kitchen, a mobile pop-up restaurant serving up gourmet food across the city. Speaking of pop-ups, one capsule of the London Eye is a 10-seat “pop-up” restaurant presided over by one of London’s most celebrated chefs. It’s sold out, but you can still enjoy 800 or so restaurants that will be featured on Festival Menus. Bring your appetite.
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